The family of the RG Kar Medical College junior doctor, who was raped and murdered in August last year, on Saturday questioned the security and safety of women in West Bengal, hours after an MBBS student of a private medical college in Pashchim Bardhaman district was allegedly raped near the institution on Friday night. Speaking to The Indian Express, the RG Kar victim's father said, “Is this an example of a safe state? The girl came to West Bengal with a dream to build a career, become a doctor, and serve people. But what happened? She was violated, and her dreams were shattered. She is alive, but just imagine her trauma.” “The administration must look into the matter. At least the police filed an FIR in the matter. But beyond that, they will do nothing. In my daughter’s case, even the FIR was delayed. We stand with the survivor. We will also fight for justice for her,” he added. In Friday's incident, the survivor, who hails from Balasore in Odisha, had gone out of the college with a male friend when she was allegedly dragged into a forested area at the back of the campus before being sexually assaulted. The West Bengal Doctors Forum (WBDF) issued a statement, saying, “This horrifying crime comes barely a year after the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at R G Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024, for which the hon’ble Supreme Court of India had taken suo motu cognisance of that case, constituted a National Task Force, and issued detailed guidelines to ensure safety and preventive measures in institutions.” “Yet, despite these directions, nothing has changed on the ground. The…incident has again exposed the systemic negligence, silence, and apathy of state authorities and institutional administrations. There was no immediate FIR, no public safety response, and no accountability from those entrusted with protecting our students. This recurring failure proves that women in West Bengal are not safe in their schools, colleges, workplaces, or even medical campuses. Promises of safety and reform remain confined to paper, while young women continue to face horrific violence,” the WBDF added. The forum demanded immediate judicial intervention by the Chief Justice of India, by taking cognisance of the incident and the recurring such failures across West Bengal. It also sought an independent judicial inquiry and accountability of state authorities, law enforcement and institutional administration for negligence and delay, and the “implementation of enforceable safety measures with strict penal consequences for non-compliance”. Condemning the incident, Dr Debasish Haldar, a prominent voice during the RG Kar protests, said, “It is not about whether the institute is private or government, or that the woman is a doctor. We have heard that local goons raped her. The entire incident is shocking. Some people were very happy that Kolkata is said to be the safest city. But is this what safety looks like?” He added, “If justice had been delivered in the RG Kar case, perhaps men with such a mindset would have thought twice. But when those culprits are still roaming free, what can we say?” Anupam Roy, a junior doctor, said, “The college authorities and administration, instead of condemning, are helping the culprits by trying to cover up. This is how such incidents are rising. There should be a judicial inquiry into the matter,” Roy said.
